All Blacks return for NPC Rugby round five

Waikato will have four All Blacks returning to defend the Ranfurly Shield against Southland PHOTO: LINTOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

Sixteen members of the All Blacks Rugby Championship squad will represent their Provincial Unions in the Bunnings Warehouse National Provincial Championship this weekend.

Round 5 kicks off on Friday night when North Harbour host Bay of Plenty, who will be bolstered by the return of backs Emoni Narawa and Leroy Carter as well as prop Tevita Mafileo.

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On Saturday afternoon, hooker Brodie McAlister will be available for the unbeaten Canterbury when they host Manawatū, while Josh Lord pulls on the Taranaki strip to face Counties Manukau in Pukekohe. Tasman and Otago will welcome back Timoci Tavatavanawai and George Bower respectively for their Saturday night match.

Wellington will have four members of the All Blacks squad at their service on Sunday afternoon – backs Kyle Preston and Ruben Love, and forwards Peter Lakai and Asafo Aumua – while Caleb Clarke is set to return from his high ankle injury to join Auckland when they head to Porirua Park.

Ranfurly Shield holders, Waikato, will have Anton Lienert-Brown, Luke Jacobson, Samipeni Finau and Ollie Norris available for their Shield defence against Southland on Sunday afternoon.

The list of All Blacks playing for their provincial teams is as follows:

Friday 29 August

North Harbour v Bay of Plenty – North Harbour Stadium, 7.05pm

Bay of Plenty: Emoni Narawa; Leroy Carter, Tevita Mafileo

Saturday 30 August

Canterbury v Manawatū – Rangiora Showground Oval, 2.05pm

Canterbury: Brodie McAlister

Counties Manukau v Taranaki – Navigation Homes Stadium, Pukekohe, 2.05pm

Taranaki: Josh Lord

Tasman v Otago – Trafalgar Park, Nelson, 7.05pm

Tasman: Timoci Tavatavanawai

Otago: George Bower

Northland v Hawke's Bay 4.35, Semenoff Stadium - no All Blacks available

Sunday 31 August

Wellington v Auckland – Porirua Park, 2.05pm

Wellington: Kyle Preston; Peter Lakai; Ruben Love; Asafo Aumua

Auckland: Caleb Clarke

Waikato v Southland – FMG Stadium Waikato, 4.35pm

Waikato: Anton Lienert-Brown; Luke Jacobson; Samipeni Finau; Ollie Norris